Sheet metal skid assembly



ct. 7, 1969 J, R. FAHEY 3,471,113A

SHEET METAL SKID ASSEMBLY Filereb. 24,1967

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[III 1 l 1 1 1 11 lllllrl nvt/wm? .10H/v n. FAHEY By M M54/ Allo/nay United States Patent 3,471,113- SHEET METAL SKID ASSEMBLY John R. Fahey, East Gary, Ind., assigner to United States Steel Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 24, 1967, Ser. No. 618,542 Int. Cl. A47g 29/00 U.S. Cl. 248-346 3 ClaimS ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a skid fabricated from sheet metal used in the storage and packaging of material.

Wooden timbers are generally used as skids under a pile of rolled steel sheets, or to separate layers of sheets within a pile. Steel straps are passed around the skids and bundles of sheets for shipping purposes. Customer packaging requirements dictate a need for a large stock of timbers. Stocking presents difficulties because the timbers must be shipped from a considerable distance. The variety and sizes used, and the bulky nature of the timbers, make it uneconomical to return timbers for reuse'. Occasionally, wooden timbers will stain rolled steel sheets.

According to my invention, two U-shaped sheet metal sections are joined together with the open ends facing each other. A sheet metal support structure is then closely contained in thel space between the sections.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a fabricated sheet metal skid strong enough to support piles of material and to withstand the stresses of handling and shipping.

A further object is to provide a fabricated sheet metal skid which is nonstaining and which, after use, may be disposed of for steel scrap value.

These and other objects will become more apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawings in which:

FIGURE l is a fragmentary plan view of a skid with a part of the upper portion removed to show the interior;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary elevation of a skid with part of the side removed to show the interior;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of line III-III of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an end view of a grooved lower section;

FIGURE 5 is an end view of an upper section;

FIGURE` 6 is an elevation, partly in section, of a notched circular band;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary plan view of a second embodiment of a skid with part of the upper portion removed to show, the interior; and

FIGURE 8 is a view, similar to FIGURE 7, showing a third embodiment of my invention.

Referring now to the drawings, reference numeral 2 indicates an elongated sheet metal U-shaped lower section. A projection 4 of the bottom of section 2 results in a longitudinal groove 6. A series of circular sheet metal bands 8 are closely fitted inside the lower section 2 throughout its length and extend above the top thereof.

3,471,113 Patented ocr. 7, 1969 rr' ICC The bands 8 have notches 10 on the bottom edges. A sheet metal U-shaped upper section 12 with its ends llared outwardly at 14 fits over the lower section 2, resting on top of the bands 8. Sheet metal retaining pieces 16, each with a notch on the bottom edge, are placed at each end.

The various pieces are formed by any conventional method used in sheet metal work. The pieces are assembled and secured with tack and spot welding wherever needed, such as at points 18 on the bands, at points 20 on the end pieces, and at points 22 on the sides.

The steel strap, not shown, that passes around the bundles and skid ts into groove 6, holding the skid in place with respect to the pile of sheets. The projection 4 is received in the notches on the bottom edges of end pieces 16 and circular bands 8. When the skid is used for storage purposes, no strapping is required and the groove and notches may be omitted.

The sheet metal used may be from any convenient source such as 20 gauge sheet steel process scrap from a rolling mill. When using 20 gauge sheet steel to fabricate a skid, I found that a 30 inch length with a 4-inch square cross-section would support more than 17 tons. Two other embodiments of my invention are also shown which have the same approximate weight supporting capabilities with the same overall dimensions.

FIGURE 7 illustrates a skid with a single length of weight supporting sheet metal, 24, bent in a zig-zag fashion throughout the length of the' skid with angle A between legs being approximately 60 and welded whereever needed such as at point 26. Other angles may be used but this angle appears to provide a higher weight supporting capacity.

FIGURE 8 illustrates a skid with a series of weight supporting sheet metal square bands 28 throughout the length of the skid. This embodiment is illustrated without a groove. When using square bands, the end pieces 16 may be omitted.

I claim:

1. A sheet metal skid assembly comprising (a) a lower sheet metal section including a bottom side having two generally parallel longitudinal edges, a centrally disposed inwardly extending projection forming a longitudinal groove on the outside of said bottom side, two vertical sides substantially at right angles to the bottom sides with one vertical side extending upwardly from each bottom side longitudinal edge and with each vertical side having a terminal edge; (b) an upper sheet metal section of approximately the same width and the same length as the lower section, including a top side having two generally parallel longitudinal edges, two vertical sides substantially at right angles to the top side with one vertical side extending downwardly from each top side longitudinal edge and with each vertical side having a terminal edge; (c) means joining the top and bottom sections at the respective terminal edges; and (d) sheet metal supporting means, throughout the length of said skid, contained in the space between the lower section and upper section, said supporting means having a height approximately equal to the distance between said top side and said bottom side, a width approximately equal to the distance between the vertical sides of the sheet metal sections, and notches in its bottom edges adapted to lit said projection.

2. A sheet metal skid assembly according to claim 1 which includes a sheet metal retaining piece at each end of said skid to retain said sheet metal support means within the length of said skid with notches in their bottom 3 4 edges adapted to t said projection, and said upper sec- 2,446,914 8/1948 Fallert et al. 1 108-57 tion vertical sides have outwardly flaring terminal ends. 2,559,930 7/1951 Bolton et al. 108-57 3. A sheet metal skid assembly according to claim 2 2,996,276 8/1961 Sorensen et al. 108--57 wherein said supporting means comprises `a plurality of 3,054,486 9/ 1962 De La Rambelje 52--731 X sheet metal circular bands having a diameter substantially 5 3,282,005 11/ 1966 Birdwell i 52-731 X equal to the distance between said vertical sides and arranged in abutting side by side relationship. ROY D FRAZIER, Primary EXamIlel' References Cited A. F RANKEL, Assistant Examlner UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 U.S. C1.X.R.

1,658,456 2/1928 Meyer 248--346 52-731; 10S-57; 248-119, 174 2,280,935 4/1942 Stevens 248--174 XR 

